CPAP

[Yander]

Which is better the full mask or the nose plugs? I was set up with the plugs but I’ve found that if I have any kind of allergies or cold it makes it harder to use the machine. I’m needing to replace the hose and headset so I’m thinking of changing.

I tried everything and settled on a full-face mask—ResMed AirFit F20 L. I have a pretty large head. I found that you cannot over-tighten the mask; if you do, it actually leaks worse. The pillows are like rubber gaskets; no need to tighten them over. Let the pillows do their job of stopping the air leaks.

This takes some fiddling and trial and error to get right.

 

[Yander]

On my previous CPAP which I had for 10 years I cleaned the hose once. I said never again. It took too long for the soap smell to disappear.

Clean the hoses and tank with peroxide. I don't do mine often enough. I do rinse my tank daily and add clean water. I change the tank out about every six months or a year.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Complete Turf Care, please check out

Explained: The voluntary Philips Respironics sleep and respiratory care devices recall | Philips

This page is intended to provide you with a general explanation of the Philips Respironics voluntary recall notification / field safety notice.

www.philips.com

Maybe update with your Dr. My Dr. got me away from Philips asap.

This is the first I hear of this. Maybe it's because I haven't been to my sleep doctor in many years. And my family doctor probably doesn't even know I use a CPAP. Somewhere in that article it says that no evidence of harm to any users has ever been found.

I will let my family doctor know and get a new machine.

 

[Alan W.]

Clean the hoses and tank with peroxide. I don't do mine often enough. I do rinse my tank daily and add clean water. I change the tank out about every six months or a year.

That is the way I finally settled on cleaning mine. No soapy smell

 

[not2old]

I clean the water reservoir and pillow (nose piece???) once a week with dish soap and rinse thoroughly with water almost too hot to handle. I do the same with the two hoses about every three months. I've never had a problem smelling soap. One big problem I have is swallowing air and burping all day, from both ends. I'm in the process of trying to fix that now. I'm expecting another sleep study with both a dental appliance and cpap My costs are only 20% deductible on medical plan for machine and supplies. All else is covered by government medical.

 

[1 Old Man]

This is the first I hear of this. Maybe it's because I haven't been to my sleep doctor in many years. And my family doctor probably doesn't even know I use a CPAP. Somewhere in that article it says that no evidence of harm to any users has ever been found.

I will let my family doctor know and get a new machine.

Big Class Action suit over this a year or two ago. Philips was replacing
machines with "refurbished" machines. If you were original purchaser
you got like $50 in settlement (lawyers always get most of it). Philips
would also pay for you to send your bad unit back to them. The whole thing
got me p/o'd. I didn't return anything, I have a shooting range. Dr. got me
a new Resmed that does everything but scratch my back. I still use the
Philips nose pillows and Nuance gel frame w/ headgear.
Definitely get new gear and visit your Dr.
Good luck.

Edit: ....article says no known harm to any users.....really? Like
they are going to admit any liability

 

[WM75Guy]

I've been having a Phillips Respironics CPAP machine for about 10 years. I use it every night, and it helps me sleep. I have not seen my sleep doctor in 9 years.
My complaint about the machine is that the initial cost was so high. My overnight sleep study in a sleep lab was about $3000 and the machine cost about $1300 ten years ago. Of course, with high-deductible insurance, all of that cost was 'out of pocket'.
Today, I can order a sleep study for about $150, but the machines are still around $1200 or so.
Now that I am on Medicare, I will ask my regular doctor about it again next month when I go for my regular visit. Hopefully, Medicare will pay for a new updated machine.
I use the nasal mask, and the headgear causes irritation on my skin behind my ears. This is probably because I am allergic to leather and the headgear is some sort of leather material.

Go get a new machine, it is worth it. I had a Phillips machine for 10 years as well. If it was past the 5 year warranty, about the only thing you could get from Phillips was $100 for mailing it back to them. I am keeping mine for a spare machine. I am on an AARP Medicare Advantage plan.from United Healthcare. The way my new Resmed CPAP machine is priced it is leased to me for 12 months at $13 a month, insurance pays the rest. After 12 months it is mine. I didn't have to repeat my 10 year old sleep studies either.

 

[gstrom99]

On my previous CPAP which I had for 10 years I cleaned the hose once. I said never again. It took too long for the soap smell to disappear.

I never use "soap". Clean tap water rinse daily, the cleaner solution weekly. Rinsed well, it has no after smell.

Medicare/Advantage insurance pays for and sets me up with a constant stream of replacement pillows, headgear, tubes, etc.

 

[orezok]

OP here. Got my CPAP today. Resmed Airsense 11 Autosense. Now the journey begins

 

[Redbug]

OP here. Got my CPAP today. Resmed Airsense 11 Autosense. Now the journey begins

That's the model I have. Download the app for it on your phone/computer. I check on my sleep with it every morning. What mask/nasal did you choose?

 

[orezok]

That's the model I have. Download the app for it on your phone/computer. I check on my sleep with it every morning. What mask/nasal did you choose?

Nasal pillows

 

[Hay Dude]

My best bud wore a CPAP for several years. He was 70lbs overweight.
Last year he went on Ozempia and lost 60lbs. Since then he has been able to discontinue the CPAP.
Seems like an awful exercise to have to go through just to sleep at night.

 

[Yander]

My best bud wore a CPAP for several years. He was 70lbs overweight.
Last year he went on Ozempia and lost 60lbs. Since then he has been able to discontinue the CPAP.

This is my goal for 2026.

 

[Redbug]

Nasal pillows

Nasal pillows for me, too.

 

[Racer4]

This is my goal for 2026.

Definitely a good goal! I started ozempic on Dec 1st of 2024. 60 lbs lost to date. Probably 60 more to go. Hopefully I can stop cpap at some point. My sleep episodes are down to less than 1 per hour.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I've been following this thread with great interest.

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and am being fitted for a CPAP machine and mask next month.
I'm a restless sleeper and can't sleep on my back. I sleep on my side and alternate from side to side many times during the night. I wear glasses and frequently read in bed.

I also have urinary problems and get up 2 or sometimes 3 times per night to use the bathroom. I'm currently being treated by a urologist. I can usually get right back to sleep after a bathroom visit as long as I'm not distracted by something. My concern is, having to disconnect & reconnect a mask will wake me to the point where I won't be able to get back to sleep. This would seem to defeat the purpose of the CPAP principle.

My father and brother (and my neighbor as well) all have similar issues and have great difficulties with CPAP. Is there any hope for me and what would those with similar experiences recommend?

 

[orezok]

Leave the mask on, just unplug the hose. Quick and easy

 

[bdhsfz6]

Leave the mask on, just unplug the hose. Quick and easy

How do you keep the hose from getting tangled in the bedding or pulled off when you turn from side to side?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

How do you keep the hose from getting tangled in the bedding or pulled off when you turn from side to side?

I am similar to you. I get up 2-3 times a night to pee. I turn my machine off before taking it off, because it is loud when I take it off and will wake my wife. Getting tangled when turning is not an issue with me. With the mask on, I sleep mostly on my back but do turn to my side sometimes. Without the CPAP there is no way I can sleep on my back.

I will usually put the mask back on after a bathroom break and usually fall back to sleep fairly easily. Sometimes, if I don't go back to sleep quickly, I will just take the mask off and lay on my side. That seems to help me go back to sleep easier, if I'm having trouble.

For several years, I didn't use the cpap every night. Now, I do use it every night. When I travel, I take it with me, even if I'm gone for only one night.

 

[Racer4]

I used to wake up several times at night to go to the bathroom, thinking it was my urge to pee that woke me up. Since starting cpap, I do not get up during the night anymore.

As for getting the hose tangled, I ran the hose along the head of the bed, coming out in the center. With the machine on the nightstand, I have plenty of hose to accommodate sleeping on both sides. I can’t sleep on my back.